Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

How To Transition Your Winter Wardrobe For Spring

This post is sponsored by Kindred, a collective boutique located at West County Center.

Feeling the urge to adorn yourself in spring attire but still facing dreadful winter weather? I feel you. Me too. There are cool ways to ease spring flavor into your winter style though. And, I’m rounding up my top 3 in this post.

1. Mix spring hues with your favorite winter colors

I was so thrilled to see all the new spring arrivals when I visited Kindred recently. Do yourself a favor and stop by. I was drawn to the bright pink, orange, and yellow items throughout the store. I was also smitten by the rich jewel tones of the winter items in stock. So, I decided to experiment by blending a beautiful rust sweater I found from Addi & Ains, one of 7 featured boutiques at Kindred, with a brighter pair of pants, also available at Kindred.

Ready to ease into Spring? Try blending a bright with a winter hue.

What I’m wearing:

Wide collar sweater via Kindred (only $54) | Pleated trousers via Kindred (only $44.99)

Fendi wrappy scarf (exact style here) | Eyes: Urban Decay “Naked Cherry” palette | Nails: Essie

2. Ease spring accessories into your style

The twilly/wrappy/neckerchief is one of spring’s IT accessories. And, since scarves and winter go together, you might as well start rocking one with your winter style. It’s totally appropriate and adds a little spring flavor.

3. Play with textures

I love how warm and cozy this wide collar sweater from Kindred boutique is. The pants, on the other hand, have a lightweight, silky fabric that balances the weight of the top. So, the overall look is a little bit spring and a little bit winter.

Location: Cafe Ventana, St. Louis

Be sure to support local STL by shopping right-on-trend styles at Kindred boutique at West County Center. See more of my Kindred finds here, here, and here.

My 3-Product Natural Hair Care Routine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FindYourShea #CollectiveBias

2 years ago on Valentine’s Day, I was debating making a huge hair change. A few weeks later, I went for it, and I cut my hair off. My goal was to achieve beautiful hair that was easy to maintain. And, y’all, it was the best decision ever! Since then, I’ve been honing a go-to haircare routine that keeps my hair looking fresh and photo ready all the time. Many of you’ve been asking, so I’m here to share that routine, including the 3 products (and only 3) I rely on.

Natural Hair Care Routine

No surprise, I’m a huge fan of SheaMoisture products. See more of my favorites here. I love that the products are made with natural, “good for you” ingredients. And, oh my goodness, they smell so amazing and are fragranced with essential oil blends I feel safe using. I like to rotate the products I use from time to time, usually between the seasons. My current favorite line is the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil line. Click the image below to shop my go-tos.

By the way, if you’re visiting a Walmart store, you can find these products in the multicultural haircare aisle.

My 3-Product Natural Hair Care Routine

Step 1: To maintain my haircut–a fresh fade–I see my barber every 2 weeks. In between that time, I go from workouts to photo shoots to events, and I want my hair to look good. My SheaMoisture products are crucial to helping me achieve the look I want.

Step 2: My fresh style begins with clean hair. Since I work out several times a week, I shampoo often. The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Oil Shampoo is a favorite because it’s gentle enough to use daily. When I use this shampoo, my hair feels moisturized, and it’s left so shiny. And, the smell? Oh my goodness…so delightful!


Step 3: I follow my shampoo with the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Rinse-Out Conditioner. From the second I apply this conditioner, my hair feels softer. I can run my fingers through it. And, the best part? My hair feels nourished after rinsing it out.


Step 4: I apply the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Styling Lotion as a moisturizer and styler. I don’t like to weigh my hair down with a lot of products. So, I love that this styling lotion does it all. If your hair gets dry like mine, this product is for you too.

I simply apply a small amount with my fingers and work it through my kinky curly hair.

I sponge curl quickly. And, in less than 2 minutes, my hair is done.

Hair care routine need a refresh? I highly recommend the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil line of products. They smell amazing, and the natural ingredients in their formulas leave the hair looking and feeling so healthy.

6 Fun Valentine’s Day Outfits Right In Your Closet

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Don’t have your outfit ready? No worries, I’m sure you have one of these combinations right in your closet. And, these fun Valentine’s Day outfits are perfect for whatever you decide do to celebrate the day of love.

Fun Valentine’s Day Outfits
1. Black and White

You can never go wrong with a classic combination of black and white. See details on this look here.

fun valentine's day outfits

2. Brights with Brights

Already started accumulating brights for spring? Great, they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day too. Go here for details on this outfit.

3. Stripes All Over

Stripes are an eye-catching classic that suit all occasions. Details on this one look here.

4. Animal Prints

Bet you caught 2018’s animal fever and filled your closet with animal prints. Good news is animal prints are storming 2019 too. So, rock your favorite print on V-day. Go here for details on this look.

5. A Crisp White Shirt

A crisp white shirt is a fashion chameleon. It can go from casual to formal dinner in a snap. So, start there. See details on this look here.

6. Something Rust

Might feel cheesy wearing red? Rock its cousin, rust, instead. Details on this look here (and more rust inspiration here and here).

 

Colorblocking In The Selfie Room, A New Selfie Museum

Last Thursday, I got a sneak peek at the newly opened selfie museum in downtown St. Louis–The Selfie Room. It’s a museum filled with whimsical backdrops that are perfect for taking photos. There are currently 12 themed rooms that’ll change every quarter. I went in hoping to find colorful spaces that spark joy, and I got just that.

The Selfie Room

What I’m wearing:

Coat c/o (similar, similar) | Sweater (similar, option) | Jeans | Bag

It was freezing cold last Thursday, so I decided on an outfit that incorporated my coat. As luck would have it, my combination–cobalt and yellow–was a perfect complement for the bathtub room. Get this, it’s a bright yellow room with rubber duckies adorning the wall and a bathtub filled with blue plastic balls. Of course, I had to get in.

I’m excited that the Selfie Room is here. It’s a fun place for anyone to take photos. I think it’ll be a great asset for fellow influencers in need of a rad backdrop, especially when the weather outside is frightful.

Want more inspiration for 2019’s must-try colorblocking trend? Go here, here, and here.

Disclosure: Thank you to The Selfie Room for inviting me to preview the space free of charge.

The Most Important Thing I Added To My Skincare Routine

This post is sponsored by Lexli.

I get so tickled when I receive compliments about my skin. Words like “glowing” get me every time. The truth is I have problem skin. It’s dry and eczema-prone. And, contact allergies? I have a laundry list of ingredients I have to avoid. The upside of all this is I’ve always had to take skincare seriously. 40 years old and all, my skin is thriving because of my intentional routine.

This year, I added something new to my routine, and it has drastically improved the look and feel of my skin. For just over a month, I’ve been using the Lexli AloeGlyC® glycolic acid exfoliator. Y’all, it’s a game changer.

Lexli Aloe Based Skin Care

Lexli Aloe Based Skin Care Products

Lexli, a premier line of Aloe skin care products, was created by Dr Ahmed Abdullah. When Dr. Abdullah, a board certified plastic surgeon, couldn’t find products to recommend to his clients, he created Lexli. He wanted a line that used pharmaceutical-grade aloe vera and advanced active ingredients proven to improve a variety of skin conditions.

I was excited to try Lexli because pharmaceutical-grade aloe (free from impurities) is central to all its formulations. Having grown up on an island with aloe plants in my backyard, I grew to trust the aloe plant for its healing, calming, and antimicrobial properties.

To put these products to the test, I tried Lexli aloe based skin care products exclusively. I got the Lexli Anti Aging Kit, which includes a cleansing lotion, exfoliator, serum, eye cream, daytime moisturizer, and night cream. I’m cutting no corners when it comes to my skin in 2019. Almost immediately, I knew the Lexli AloeGlyC® glycolic acid exfoliator was extra special.

Exfoliating with Lexli AloeGlyC®

I hear all the time that exfoliating is important. But, if you’re like me and find most physical exfoliants too irritating, you’ve probably avoided exfoliating. Furthermore, as a woman of color, professional chemical peels could be harsh when not done properly. Besides, they’re expensive. Enter, the AloeGlyC®, a chemical exfoliant with a similar pH to chemical peels, minus the risk of burns.

I used the product at night before applying my nighttime moisturizer. The next day my skin was notably brighter. Over a month later, I even think the lines on my forehead are less pronounced. During the winter, I usually get awful dry patches on my face no matter how much I moisturize. I’m confident that using the exfoliator, followed by the serum, and moisturizer has addressed my dryness. Now, getting glam with makeup is such a breeze.

If your skincare routine needs a refresh, try this powerful exfoliator. If you decide to try the line, use the code ECONOMYOFSTYLE20 for 20% off (valid until February 28).